All the Red Tape in the World

So, after finding out that I wanted to teach English to Korean's, I decided that I would do my homework, and see all the paperwork that I had to fill out, and believe you me, there is a lot. Thankfully, the recruiter that I'm working with has a website hopelessly devoted to those of us hate paperwork, or are uncomfortable with it, and anybody can use these steps in order to get a job over there.

1. First things first, you HAVE to get a background check from the FBI. How does one go about getting a background check? Go to the FBI Website. If there's too much reading, I'll tell you what I did. First, I printed out and filled out the paperwork for the initial background check, then I went over to get my fingerprints taken. Because I live in the bankrupt state of California, I could not get my fingerprints taken at my local law enforcement establishment, so I was directed to American Post 'N Parcel. They aren't as cheep as the once $8 fingerprinting charged at the police station, $15 wasn't that bad. So, you put in your paperwork, I opted to pay my $16 by credit card sheet (for the actual paper background check), added in a self addressed, stamped envelope, and the hopes that I did it correctly. THIS PART TAKES THE LONGEST, SO AS SOON AS YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO PERSUE A CAREER IN KOREA, GET IT DONE!!! So many other websites said the same thing, but honestly I didn't believe them, and waited. Now, I'm hoping that once I get it, I'll be able to send it right back out, and get the apostille that I need in order to make it valid. Because, to get that beloved apostille, you need to send it to the U.S. Dept. of State, which will take two more months to get the stamp. My recruiter suggested that I cough up $55 and send the background check to:

U.S. Authentication Service (www.usauthentication.com) will go to the U.S. State Department  in Washington D.C. in person to get the apostille on the FBI Criminal Background check on your behalf. If you go through U.S. Authentication Service an apostille from the U.S. Department of State will be completed and sent to you within 2 business days in comparison to the 3+ undetermined weeks by mail to the U.S. Department of State.

I'm thinking that that $55 will be money worth spent, especially since I have it.

2. Passport - This should be the second thing that you do, as this will also take a bit of time. First, know that I only had to get my passport renewed, and didn't have to fill out all the paperwork for a brand new, shiny passport. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves, ok?

First, get your picture taken. I smile a lot, and for me not to smile makes my face look wierd and unnatural. My photographer took my picture without smiling, and as she looked at it, she fround. I just didn't look natural not smiling, so I smiled, teeth and all. The picture was taken at AAA, and I got copies. You need four more pictures then the original 2, so all in all, I ended paying $22, with tax. This might be different from where you live. Then, I found my old passport, and mailed off all that paperwork to the National Passport Processing Center. For more information, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/ The amount for a passport? $115.75, with shipping.

Those two are the biggest, most time consuming part of the project. Next time, I will take you step by step on how to obtain an apostille for your Bachelors Degree the right way.

The Day It Was Found Out

The afternoon sun beat down harshly on the larger suburb. Air conditioners tried in vain to keep the heat at bay, as a young woman sat in front of her computer. A few days before, a chain letter had been mailed out to her, bringing hope to her jobless life, hope of a better life across the ocean. She never believed in them, and often times simply consigned them to the trashcan. But, somehow, this one was different, and she did something she had never done before; she asked questions.

She asked if her husband and little girl could come with her. She asked if after the end of the year came, could she keep on working for the same company. Finally, she asked what would be included in her payment.

The reply came as quickly as she could type it out. They could come, too. You can renew your contract. And, this job comes with BENEFITS. You know the drill, the whole bit. Paid vacation, paid sick leave, health insurance for her and her family, end of the year compensation, etc. Yeah... BENEFITS.

She talked it over with her husband, thinking that he would absolutely hate the idea, but to her great surprise, he uplifted her, and told her to go for it. If she found anything in the interim, then she could accept that job anyway. Jobs came and went, and she wasn't getting hired, as was the way during those times. Then, a job offer at a public school. She interviewed for it, and found herself falling in love with 안동시 in 경상북도. Her dreamy eyes took in all the pictures that she could find. The beautiful surrounding countryside intoxicated her with divinity and spirit. Surely, this would be the most beautiful place in the world where she could spread her wings upon.

Hoping against hope, she longed for the day when her employer would contact her, and let her know about her fate.